Everything Steelers from the Steelers Lounge

After the Oilers got done stolen, my thoughts about the Steelers became more nostalgic. Respecting their success over time.

Back when I wrote for AOL Sports FanHouse, I was outnumbered by too many great Steelers fans for one site, among them JJ Cooper (@JJCoop36), Adam Gretz (@agretz) and Ryan Wilson (@ryanwilson_07). These days, they all write for places too numerous to mention, including visiting here before, but their own diehard site is Steelers Lounge (@Steelers_Lounge). Their writing is smart and funny, and it’s hard not to like smart, funny diehard fans of their team.

I asked them to do a Q&A about the Steelers, and they didn’t disappoint with their real talk view of their team (apologies about the formatting but I’m having minor technical issues that would be a huge pain to fix so I am not).

How is this Steeler team different than ones in previous years?

“On paper, it’s the same starters from last year, save right tackle Flozell Adams, who was released for salary-cap reasons. (The plan was to have Willie Colon, who missed 2010 with an Achilles injury, resume the right tackle duties. That lasted a week until he landed on IR with an arm injury.)

There were two story lines coming into the season: 1) This offense is loaded with weapons: Roethlisberger, Mendenhall, Ward, Wallace, Miller, and the second-year, from-outta-nowhere wide receivers Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders.

And 2) The defense is OLD. Which is true, but since it’s the same defense as a year ago, personnel-wise, we pretty much know what to expect.

The offense has shown glimpses of explosiveness, but the problem, as always, lies in the o-line’s inability to protect Roethlisberger. And the defense really appeared ready for the retirement home against the Ravens in Week 1, but looked more like their usual selves the last two weeks.

So the short answer is that the 2011 version of this team isn’t much different than previous iterations during the Mike Tomlin era, with the caveat that they’re incrementally becoming more pass-oriented (but isn’t everybody?).”

What do you see as the strengths of the Steelers?

“In no particular order: Roethlisberger and Polamalu. The Steelers can win without either player, but only for short stretches and that assumes that everyone else plays flawlessly. Big Ben does things that no other quarterback can do, and he usually does it four or five seconds after the snap, and after shedding at least one would-be tackler.

Polamalu, simply, is a game-changer. During the 2010 postseason, there were concerns that his skills were diminishing because he wasn’t a factor in the playoffs or the Super Bowl. Turned out, he was still injured. He appears to be healthy now, and he’s back to his old game-changin’ ways.

Other strengths:

– Maurkice Pouncey, in just his second season, is already one of the best centers in the game. It’s just that he doesn’t have much help.

– Tomlin likes to call Mike Wallace a “one-trick pony” because he runs go-routes better than anyone in the NFL, but Wallace has made himself into a complete receiver. He’s proven that through three weeks of the season, going for over 100 yards each week, with a good chunk of his receiving yards coming after the catch.

– Cornerback Ike Taylor may not be able to catch, but he’s a cover corner in the truest sense of the word. You just have to be willing to accept “passes defended” as the closest thing he’ll give you to a turnover.”

What are the biggest concerns you have with the Steelers right now?

“The offensive line. That’s pretty much the stock answer to that question, no matter the day, week or month (including the offseason).

Against the Colts last Sunday night, the Steelers dressed seven o-linemen. Three got hurt. So they just put the least injured guy back out there and, well, you really couldn’t see a drop-off. (To be fair, it was the last drive of the game, but I suspect that would’ve been the case if it had happened in the second quarter, too. On the other hand, we like to joke that the overall mediocrity of the unit isn’t a bug it’s a feature.)

There were some concerns following that Week 1 drubbing by the Ravens that James Harrison was on his last leg. He had two offseason back surgeries and looked, well, human. He’s since returned to the form fans are accustomed to, which is a relief.”

If you were game planning against the Steelers, what would your strategy be?

“The Patriots have great success spreading the field, making the Steelers’ defense show their hand, and then letting Tom Brady find the mismatch and exploit it. He gets the ball out so quickly that he’s seldom in danger of taking a hit.

The Texans, with that fantastic offensive line and potent running game, could go with the tried and true “use the run to set up the pass” game plan, and its reasonable to think it’ll work, starting with Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson.

Not surprisingly, the Steelers’ o-line struggles with pressure, including pre-snap identification of where it may be coming from. The problem is that Roethlisberger seems to enjoy getting hit, which means that if he’s not taken down by the first defender, there’s a good chance he’ll turn the miscue into a big play for the Steelers.”

Who are some Steeler players that Texans fans may not know of that could have a big impact on the game, either positive or negative?

“Isaac Redman, RB. He’s Mendenhall’s backup, but in his two years on the 53-man roster I think he’s converting something like 95 percent of this 3rd-and-short opportunities. It’s a marvel to watch, really. He’s glacially slow in terms of a 40-time, but he has an absurd knack for not going down on first (or second, or third) contact, and always falling forward.

Antonio Brown, WR. The former sixth-round pick is in his second year and he’s listed as the team’s No. 4 receiver. The thing is, after Wallace, he’s probably the most explosive player on the roster. He’s a deep threat and a dangerous return man.

Lawrence Timmons, ILB. He was Tomlin’s first draft pick back in ’07 and unlike Harrison, Woodley or Polamalu, you seldom hear much about him outside of Pittsburgh. That said, he’s probably one of the best inside linebackers in the league. Timmons is explosive, instinctive and jaw-droppingly athletic.”

My nostalgia for the Steelers makes me think back to attending the last Steelers-Oilers game in Houston. I had just finished playing flag football in the rain all morning, and I was listening to the radio pregame on the way home. Started crying. Just thinking that was the last Oilers-Steelers game in the Dome. I hate crying. I do not do that. Called a ticket broker to see if I could buy a single ticket and got one for face. Went to the game and the Oilers won. After the game, many of the players went around the field high-fiving fans. Very sad victory.

As I said last week, I like seeing the various numbers before the game because sometimes you can see patterns as more games (more data) happen. The numbers may be a little skew due to the opponents each team has faced.

Brief Game Note.

It’s my understanding that the entire NFL has standardized their pat down procedures before the game. Don’t know how different these procedures will be but if you are going into the game, be sure to give yourself extra time. The Texans are suggesting that, not me, but I have no idea how much additional time it will take. Giving yourself extra time is not a bad idea because I’m sure the stadium will be packed–excited Texans fans and Pittsburgh fans willing to pay big bucks to subsidize some Texans fans’ season ticket prices.

Thanks for the post, Steph. Are you going to the game? I haven’t gotten a chance to see a game live at Reliant, but hopefully I’ll get a chance one day. What are they like in person? Are there any “bad” seats to avoid?

I will be at the game, been to them all except for the time right after I had a baby, and the time I was in Hawaii for a friend’s anniversary. I love attending games in person because of the energy that you feel, and the gameday atmosphere tailgating. It’s just very friendly. As for seats, the stadium is very vertical so even the high seats are close to the field. The higher seats are better for seeing plays develop, the lower seats are faster to get to and give you a better sense of the speed and hitting. The field level endzones are more rowdy than the field level between the 20s on the bottom, and the highest level is rowdy too. I’ve sat all over the stadium and never had a bad seat.

hi steph, good read as usual, i also think that the steelers will over match the texans defence and will be able to exploit their 4th quarter ineptitude, a team is only as good as they are coached, and lets admit it we are out coached almost every game, only until we have a change at head coach will houston see a difference in being a better team. a perfect point is kareem jackson, who should be benched or put on waivers, but kubes will continue to run him out there just to drive home his point. thanks again for the great write up as usual- newcastle bob

If the team comes out Sunday and lays an egg on par with our 2009 season-opening loss to the Jets, it should serve to re-re-re-re-re-confirm what we should all already know about a Kubiak-coached team, right?

I sincerely hope I’m proven wrong Sunday, but with that Saints debacle, this team’s again reminding me of one Tracy McGrady: talented, but ultimately lacking in desire and drive.

I know it’s just 1 game in a 16-game schedule that’s fairly easy down the stretch, but can we please not lose sight of the fact that our coach has, for 5+ years, shown himself to be inferior to his competition?

So… they aren’t expected to lose ANY games in a season anymore? To a team one year removed from a Super Bowl championship, on the road, in one of the loudest stadiums in the league? Don’t get me wrong, I was disappointed too, but I don’t expect them to make me forget the 1972 Dolphins, either…

Anyhow, the game: it’s big. Huge. The T’s have GOT to show they can put a beatdown on one of the Big Boys. Losing to Pittsburgh and then beating Oakland would produce a very unimpressive 3-2 record and memories of last year.

I’m most interested to see the attitude of the defense and its response to last week’s collapse. The player and coach comments this year speak a confidence that the unit can consistently play solid, unlike last year’s, “what will go wrong this week.” I think the Steelers will be a tough game, but its offense isn’t even close to the caliber of the Saints. The speed and talent of the Steelers receivers concerns me more than its run-game. Can’t wait till Sunday, just two more days…

The best hit I have ever seen in the NFL was when Donnie Shell caught Earl Campbell as Campbell was coming out of a spin move near the sideline. Perfect timing. Big Earl’s mid section was completely vulnerable, I don’t think Campbell saw it coming. Donnie Shell laid into him. Crunch. As for the game I have to go with my Black and Gold.

Of all the teams the Oilers played back in those “Luv ya Blue” days the Steelers, at least in my memory, were the only team that seemed to be able to stop Earl, not always but he had to fight to get every yard in those games. Like that commercial used to say, he got them the old fashioned way, he earned them, lol. One of the best hits I remember still gets played on the old highlight reels was where Earl was fighting for yards running so hard his jersey was was being ripped off of him and just as he cleared one tackler another defender showed up in front of him. Earl just lowered his head and literally blew up that defender and kept going. Those were the days!

The Texans need to win this game to prevent them from letting doubts creep in that this year will be the same old, same old. That said. It is not make or break for the season, although it may be for some fans sanity. I think the Texans are a better team than the Steelers this year. We will see if they show it Sunday.

I’m the same Steph…I’ve grown to love the toughness of the Steelers. I had hopes of Cowher becoming our coach, but I’m good with Kubiak…hope he takes advantage of McNair’s faith in him.

I really do like hardnosed football and just know our Texans team has the personnel to do it, but I don’t see the fire consistently. Posts in the past have always talked about fire…and I do believe it starts at the top. (I do see some fire, but sometimes it looks more like frustration than anything else.)

Seriously, I don’t think the Steelers are as good this year as they have been in the last few seasons. Age and offensive line issues are finally catching up with them. They will end the season with a good record, thanks to weak opponents like Cleveland and Cincy, the NFC West, and the (rest of the) AFC South, but they aren’t as good this year. Sure, they beat Seattle convincingly, but the Seahawks are terrible. I think the Seahawks spent the offseason trying to make sure they didn’t win the crappiest division in football again.

The Steelers barely managed to beat Indy – Houston destroyed Indy. The Ravens ran all over Pittsburgh, and the Texans have a pretty good running game even without Foster, and he’s supposed to be back this week. Freeney and Mathis gave the Steelers line fits, and I think they will have their hands full again with Smith, Williams, and Watt. Last point – the Steelers scores have been 7-35, 24-0, and 23-20. The Texans have been 34-7, 23-13, and 33-40. In three games, the Steelers only once scored more points than Houston did in their lowest scoring game so far. I’m not sure Pittsburgh can score enough to keep up with the Texans offense, which is averaging 30 points per game.

Hard hits? The Oilers were playing the Raiduhs(sic) and were near the Raiduh’s goal line Earl was carrying the ball(who else) about the time he was on the One Jack Tatum AKA as The Assasin had an open shot and run and came in and hit Earl right in the chest Earl staggered a little Tatum fell back and Earl stepped over the goal line.

All the talk about Romo and his fractured rib. Steph are you old enough to remember Dan Pastorini”s fractured rib? Don’t remember what year. But some local came up with a so called “Flak Jacket” for Dan to wear. I remember that Dan was able to play, but no memory of how well. Charlie Johnson was playing QB for the Oilers and broke his collar bone one week( broke not fractured) and played the next week.

Trivia Where did the name Flak Jacket come from? During WW2 anti aircraft fire was called Flak. The bomber crews wore armored jackets to help protect them from this “Flak” Legend has it that some of the men strapped them around their waists

I think the Texans can pull it off, and I think that they need to pull it off for folks to truly believe that the Saints game was a fluke. I believe that it will be a close game with the Texans winning by one score, be it a TD or a FG. I think that Wade does need to do a bit of work with the secondary after the Saints game as it seems that they regressed a bit in to how they played last season. Also, I think we need to start having DeMeco and Cushing playing more to the rush instead of dropping back in to coverage as often and leaving the middle to Cody so much as it seems that he’s not all that great at shedding his defender and grabbing the RB when they come his way.

When leaving a group of Oiler Vs Steeler fans got into a brawl. It was the oddest thing. The fight lasted only a minute and went with the flow of the draining crowd. No one called the cops, both sides just wiped their noses and kept moving.

I also used to go to sports bars to see Oiler games when they were blacked out. I went to one off Westheimer, kinda early, and sat down. A waitress came up to me and said, “Are you a Steeler fan? Then, you don’t want to sit here.”

I got up and moved. By Noon. The entire section she moved me from was over flowing with Steeler fans (like 50 in a section for 20) decked out to the 9’s with the area plastered in black gold.

I think Foster will be the key factor. I see him having a huge first quarter, making the defense respect the running and screen game, then opening it up for AJ and Jacoby. Tate can finish them off in the second half.
He mentioned spreading them out so don’t forget about Casey and OD. Salivating over the possibilities!
On the other hand, the Houston defense could . . . you know what, I’m gonna stay positive. Go Texans!

Philosophical question:
Last season Texan Fan pointed to many “unbelievable” examples of bad luck and little things that could have gone their way separating them from being a good team.
While Matt Schaub was falling apart in the 4th quarter against NO, Kevin Walter caught one heck of a lucky ball for a TD that should have been incomplete, if not an interception. Not to say it wasn’t a great play, but the bounce was lucky.
What does it say that the Texans find ways to lose even when the bounces do go their way? Is it maybe time to leave the excuses behind and start just focusing on “Did they win or lose?”
Personally, I think it was that time four years ago. But that is just me.

A Texans victory on Sunday puts the Texans on the map as a contender for the AFC title. It is very important since you really never know how those tiebreakers might come into play. Contenders for the playoffs right now at least include the Steelers, Raiders, Ravens and Browns. Our next three games could each decide a playoff spot. Beating Pittsburgh and then the Raiders give us a 5-0 conference record and 2 important tiebreakers. While a 10-6 record could win the AFC South, we could end up in a big tie with Tennessee and all of the other contenders. We can clinch all of the key tiebreakers over the next 4 weeks.

The NO loss, while disappointing is really not damaging being an NFC game. A win on Sunday could mean that the Texans would be favored to win every game except at Baltimore and at Tampa. Wouldn’t it be great if we beat Pitt and Oakland while Tenn loses at Clev then at Pitt?

This is the most important game in Texans history at least until next week.

I have banned the phrase “This is the most important game in Texans history” off of my blog forever. I find that it is hazard and that when I hear people say it on the radio, it causes my eyes to roll into the back of my head and I risk driving into a ditch or something.